If you're looking to get into the field of data science, one great way to get started is by participating in a machine learning or AI hackathon. Not only will you get to flex your coding muscles and show off your skills to potential employers, but you'll also get to learn about the latest tools and techniques in the field. A machine learning and AI hackathon is an event where developers, designers, and business professionals come together to solve real-world problems using machine learning and artificial intelligence. These events usually last for 24–48 hours or sometimes days or months, and participants work in teams to create innovative solutions. Participating in a machine learning and AI hackathon is a great way to learn new skills and build your portfolio.

Or so Hesme, aged 15, believed when she switched schools in 10th grade. "I thought I'd be terrible at it", she says. When she moved to Curro Heritage House High School, STEM classes were a regular part of the curriculum. She was nervous about that – but when her brother dared her to take a computer science class, she accepted the challenge to prove him wrong. Hesme loved her computer science class.

The start-up community is being marshalled to tool up for the AI revolution, starting with an AI hackathon this month. An upcoming AI hackathon, which is being held on 18 and 19 February at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Innovation Academy in partnership with Microsoft and Atlantic Bridge, is the brainchild of Neill Gernon of machine learning start-up Atrovate. Gernon is also the founder of the quarterly Dublin AI community, which is holding its second sold-out event for 120 AI enthusiasts this week (9 February) in collaboration with Aylien, Pointy and Artomatix. 'We have some great start-ups playing across a variety of AI-related fields based in Dublin and around Ireland, and having successes like Movidius getting acquired by Intel is fantastic to see' – NEILL GERNON Gernon was formerly programme lead at the LaunchBox technology start-up accelerator in TCD. "We wanted to create a more defined and connected AI community for Dublin, so I set up Dublin AI as Dublin's quarterly applied AI event. "This was the first step to connect and upskill the city's talent." Gernon pointed out that Dublin is awash with the right talent to lead the AI revolution. "With research centres like Adapt and Insight and key universities like Trinity College, which is primarily known for technology and the sciences, based right in the middle of town, there is no shortage of talent, which is the key enabler.